Tea Tree Oil: Mother Nature's Natural Antifungal

The geographical sourcing of a natural medicinal ingredient can have a significant effect on the quality and efficacy of the ingredient. Tea tree oil is a great example of the importance of proper sourcing. The essential oil from the tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) has become an increasingly popular ingredient, both as a 100% pure oil and as an addition to cosmetic formulas like creams and shampoos.

What Is Tea Tree Oil?

Tea tree oil is a natural antifungal and antimicrobial with a wide variety of beneficial uses. Used in its pure form, tea tree oil can be applied directly to fungal nail bed infections to help reduce symptoms. When diluted to a 5% concentration in a carrier oil such as olive oil, tea tree oil can help to treat acne. Other traditional reported uses of tea tree oil include treating bacterial and staph infections, cold sores, dandruff, skin allergic reactions, athlete’s foot, lice, insect bites, and helping with wound healing.

With any natural ingredient, the best material comes from the plant grown in its natural environment. In the case of tea tree oil, the perfect sourcing area is Australia. Tea tree oil has been commercially produced there since the 1920s, but it has been used for centuries by the Bundjalung people of Australia for its medicinal properties.

Health First® Tea Tree Oil is sourced directly from farms in the fertile Bungawalbyn Valley in New South Wales, Australia. The valley’s natural biosphere is where the tea tree originated and evolved. Studies have shown that the tea tree species in this area have a traceable history of over 36,000 years. The farms where Health First® tea trees are harvested are home to the primary location of the mother trees, which are over 1,000 years old and continue to produce quality seeds for new generations of plants. Growing and harvesting trees from this original region reduces the need for fertilizers, insecticides, and other additional treatments, and ensures the best blend of natural ingredients produced by the plant as it adapts to its environment. Sourcing tea trees from their native region helps ensure proper harvesting and steam distillation are done by seasoned personnel using proven methods.

The main active ingredient in tea tree oil that offers antifungal and antimicrobial properties is believed to be terpinen-4-ol. This compound can make up 30-48% of the oil. However, there are hundreds of substances that make up tea tree oil, many of which are still unidentified. For example, it is still unknown which of these substances triggers the activity of terpinen-4-ol in the plant; the synergy of all substances in tea tree oil is the key to its medicinal efficacy.

Unfortunately, inferior tea tree oil products often appear on the market as the use of the oil continues to grow. The problem is two-fold. Some oils come from secondary growing regions, notably China, India, and North Africa, and do not have the medicinal profile of Australian oil. Other tea tree oils contain some authentic oil but have been adulterated with synthetic ingredients to reduce costs. In 2016, a study published by the Australian Tea Tree Industrial Association (ATTIA) showed that 75% of Australian tea tree oil products sold in the American market are adulterated. Commonly, the oil is mixed with by-products from other oils, including sandalwood, eucalyptus, and pine. The degree of adulteration can vary from 30-100%. Often, these fake products can cause skin irritation. Therefore, it is important to know that you are buying genuine Australian tea tree oil. Health First® Tea Tree Oil carries the “Naturally Australian Products” logo, assuring Canadian consumers that only authentic Australian tea tree oil from the Bungawalbyn Valley is in the bottle.

To choose a tea tree oil, always look for the “Naturally Australian Products” logo to ensure you are getting the best nature has to offer.

Below is a natural recipe for homemade disinfectant wipes using reusable materials.

Homemade Disinfectant Wipes (Cloth)

• 1 cup rubbing alcohol
• 2 tbsp dish soap (e.g., Dr. Bronner’s Castile)
• 10 drops tea tree oil
• 10-20 drops lavender, eucalyptus, or other essential oil
• 50 cloths (approx. 4 inches by 6 inches – you can cut up an old t-shirt, etc.)
• Mix ingredients and pour over cloths. Store in an airtight container and use as needed. To reuse, simply machine wash when finished.